How Ofsted inspects your provision for 'disadvantaged' pupils

Learn how Ofsted defines 'disadvantaged' pupils and considers how well your provision supports these pupils.

Last reviewed on 11 October 2023
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 32083
Contents
  1. Ofsted evaluates your provision for 'disadvantaged' pupils across multiple areas
  2. Ofsted's definition of 'disadvantaged' pupils

Ofsted evaluates your provision for 'disadvantaged' pupils across multiple areas

Inspectors will take into account the learning and progress of 'disadvantaged' pupils (as defined in the section below), when evaluating your:

Curriculum

Ofsted looks at your curriculum as part of the ‘quality of education’ judgement.

You should provide disadvantaged pupils with a curriculum that:

  • Is designed to give them the knowledge, responsibilities and cultural capital they need to succeed in life
  • Remains as broad as possible for as long as possible, and isn’t reduced for these pupils

Inspectors will also want to see that your disadvantaged pupils:

  • Make progress and learn what your curriculum intends for them to learn
  • Produce high-quality work
  • Achieve well in national tests and exams
  • Are being prepared for the next stage of education, training or employment
  • Are able to read to an age-appropriate level and fluency

This is set out in paragraph 227 of the inspection handbook.

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